Kings vs. Pelicans Betting Preview: Pick, Spread, and Prediction

Sacramento Kings (12-13 SU, 11-14 ATS) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (5-20 SU, 9-16 ATS)

When: Thursday, December 12th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: Smoothie King Center, LA, New Orleans

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Sac -6/NO +6

Total: 231.5

Money Line: Sacramento Kings -231/+192

Notable Injuries

Kings

• Trey Lyles (Out) Calf
• Devin Carter (Out) Shoulder

Pelicans

• Brandon Ingram (Out) Ankle
• Javonte Green (Questionable) Ankle
• Zion Williamson (Out) Hamstring
• Jose Alvarado (Out) Hamstring
• Karlo Matkovic (Out) Low Back
• Jordan Hawkins (Out) Back

At 8:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-231) will take on the New Orleans Pelicans (+192) in a Western Conference matchup. The Kings are favored by 6 points and have won two straight games. The Pelicans are 5-20 and have lost two straight games. The over/under line for this game is 231.5.

This game will be played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Kings are 12-13 and are 12th in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are 15th in the West and have a record of 5-20. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 ET, and the game can be seen on NBCS.

Recent Form

The Kings moved to 12-13 on the season with a dominant 141-97 win over the Jazz on Sunday. Sacramento, playing at home, covered the -11 point spread, and the game’s total of 238 points narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 235.

After a close 1st quarter, the Kings took control, outscoring the Jazz 36-22 in the 2nd quarter. A 12-0 run helped them extend their lead from 89-72 to 101-72, and they finished strong by holding Utah to 23 points in the 4th quarter while scoring 36 of their own.

The Pelicans dropped to 5-20 on the season after a 121-116 road loss to the Spurs on Sunday. New Orleans, who entered the game as +7 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread. The total score of 237 points exceeded the O/U line of 223.5 by 13.5 points.

New Orleans started strong, leading 34-28 after the 1st quarter, but San Antonio’s 43-point 2nd quarter, including an 11-0 run, put the Pelicans in a hole. New Orleans fought back, winning the 3rd quarter 25-21 and keeping pace in the 4th (29-29), but couldn’t complete the comeback.

The Historicals

The ATS record across the previous five head-to-head meetings is 5-0 in favor of the Pelicans. In these matchups, New Orleans has averaged 123 points per game while allowing 110. The over-under record in these same games is 2-3, with the teams combining for an average of 233 points per game.

Analysis

Kevin Huerter led the Kings with 26 points and six threes in their 141-97 win over the Jazz, shooting 71.4% from the field. Sacramento hit 22 threes at a 50% clip, finishing with an overall shooting percentage of 57%.

De’Aaron Fox added 21 points, while Domantas Sabonis contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds. Doug McDermott scored all 18 of his points in the 4th quarter.

The Kings’ defense shined in their 141-97 win over the Jazz, holding Utah to just 97 points. Sacramento gave up 23 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters while allowing 22 in the 2nd and 29 in the 3rd.

Overall, the Kings limited the Jazz to 38% shooting, including 35% from three-point range, where Utah hit 15 threes. Sacramento also recorded ten steals and seven blocks in the game.

Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 25 points, including 10 in the 1st quarter and nine more in the 4th, as they fell to the Spurs on Sunday. CJ McCollum added 19 points, while Yves Missi contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds.

The Pelicans hit 13 threes at a 34.2% clip, with Murphy knocking down 4 of them at 40%. Overall, they shot 43.4% from the field.

The Pelicans struggled defensively in the 2nd quarter, giving up 43 points, which contributed to their 121-116 loss to the Spurs. However, they tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 21 points. Overall, New Orleans held San Antonio to 45% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Pelicans limited the Spurs to 12 threes on 30% shooting. New Orleans also recorded nine steals and eight blocks but sent San Antonio to the line 31 times, where they converted 25 free throws. The Pelicans gave up 16 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• Although Sacramento has a straight-up record of 5-5 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 114 points per game in these games.
• Across the Pelicans’ last ten home games, the team averaged 98 points per game while allowing 118. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 0-10 straight-up.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 1-9 straight up.
• Sacramento has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

There are a lot of large point spreads on tonight’s schedule, including this matchup between the Kings and Pelicans. Right now, the spread is sitting at -6 in favor of the Kings. New Orleans has been devestated by injuries, including both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. After falling to the Grizzlies a week ago, the Kings’ offense has been on fire, scoring 140 points vs the Spurs and 141 vs the Jazz on Sunday. Look for this trend to continue vs. a beat up Pelicans squad. I like Sacramento to win and cover at -6.